Newcastle Falcons centre Chris Harris has been named in Gregor Townsend’s 40-man squad for the 2018 autumn Tests. Harris who made his debut in 2017 and has 4 caps will be available to face Wales in Cardiff on 3 November then host Tests against Fiji, South Africa and Argentina.

Head coach Gregor Townsend said about the squad “They’re excellent players, that’s first and foremost the reason we’ve brought them in. They will really add to our group.”

Alex Dunbar, Jonny Gray, Huw Jones, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Maitland, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Ryan Wilson and Hamish Watson all return, as do Matt Scott, who last played in June 2017, and Edinburgh team-mate Henry Pyrgos, who last featured in November.

Townsend has also invited Edinburgh duo Luke Crosbie, a back-row, and Darcy Graham, a wing, to train with the squad.

Among those missing through injury are British and Irish Lions full-back Stuart Hogg, Glasgow Warriors team-mate Zander Fagerson and fellow forwards John Barclay, of Edinburgh, and Richie Gray, now of Toulouse.